Thornton praises plan for accountability for all taxpayer-funded schools

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton on Wednesday praised the call from State Superintendent Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for accountability for all publicly-funded schools in the state.

The accountability-for-all plan is included in the DPI’s “No Child Left Behind” waiver request submitted Wednesday to the federal government. Accountability for publicly-funded private schools has not yet been included in legislative proposals.

The following is a statement from Dr. Thornton:

“All schools that are receiving taxpayer funds should be held to the same level of accountability that we embrace,” the

Superintendent said. “We embrace accountability because it is what our children, parents and taxpayers deserve.”

“The state’s list of ‘priority schools,’ created under a U.S. Department of Education mandate, is based upon previously- released data with which we’re well familiar. It is data we have already used and continue to use to make significant reforms. Strong strategic plans are in place for schools on the list. Rigorous district-wide literacy and math/science plans are being implemented to improve learning for all students,” Dr. Thornton said.

“When necessary, MPS has acted swiftly to close schools,” he noted. “Seven schools that appear on the ‘priority school’ list have either been closed or will be closed at the end of the year. Another two schools have been merged into other schools to begin building a stronger educational community.”

“More work remains to be done to bring our students up to the level where they should be. But we’re already seeing early results. Reading scores are up, ACT scores are up and our community and business partners are giving us a vote of confidence,” the Superintendent said.

“Children, parents and taxpayers deserve publicly-funded schools that are willing to educate all — and willing to face public accountability,” Dr. Thornton said.